In Australia, Mark Latham, the antagonistic head of the New South Wales One Nation party, is facing growing criticism. Allegations of bullying, harassment and discriminatory comments made to female staff members lie at the heart of the complaints. Things got even worse when Latham subsequently rejected an ABC interview request. He still hasn’t denied or acknowledged the existence of a video, or that any such video messages received have indeed materialized.
Tanya Plibersek, a respected, senior Labor MP and former Minister, set out her critical opinion of Latham’s ability to lead. She remembered her most transformative political experience that continues to impact her to this day. The allegations against Latham raise troubling questions about his conduct. They push against the leadership paradigm we look for in politics.
Allegations and Apologies
Latham’s serious allegations come from an application for an apprehended violence order (AVO). Such an application in a New South Wales court. These charges paint a picture of a “sustained pattern” of domestic abuse, which Latham has strongly denied. In fact, his sole defense against these claims has been that there was “no indication that any law or regulation was violated.”
In addition to these allegations, one of the MPs quoted in the messages alleged that Latham reached out to her to express regret for his comments. The serious nature of these allegations, combined with his history of aggressiveness, has led some – including Menendez’s own party – to call for a more thorough investigation. Premier Chris Minns has indicated that the privileges committee should investigate Latham’s behavior in parliament, emphasizing the need for accountability among elected officials.
“The people of New South Wales, I think, would be looking at the reports of his behaviour in the New South Wales Parliament and just scratching their heads about why anybody would think that taking a taxpayer’s dollar to do a job would be behaving in the way that he is in his workplace,” – Tanya Plibersek.
Tanya Plibersek’s Reflections
Labor Tanya Plibersek, Latham’s state replacement, has been loud in her scepticism of Latham leadership. Reflecting on her nearly three-decade political career, she recalled a significant emotional moment:
“Do you know I’ve been a Member of Parliament for a long time, and the only time I remember going home and having a little cry after work was the day that Mark Latham was elected as leader of the Australian Labor Party?”
Plibersek further remarked on Latham’s behavior over the years, stating, “I always had my doubts about him as a political figure, and I think those doubts have only increased in recent decades as his behaviour has become worse and more extreme.” Her comments point to a rising tide of frustration with Latham’s championing of the values and principles of the Labor Party.
Additionally, she said she was worried about Latham’s sexist attitude toward women in government. She noted, “Over the last couple of decades looking at that photo on that wall, I’ve scratched my head at times thinking this guy doesn’t represent the Labor party; he doesn’t represent what we stand for; I don’t think he represents mainstream Australia.”
Calls for Accountability
Eight months after the announcement, the controversy is still playing out. Members of the NSW branch of the Labor Party are so intent on doing so that they’re readying a censure motion against Latham. This new transition represents a larger, growing demand for accountability from the voters in and out of political offices.
Plibersek went on to chide Latham for his undertakings and their impact on the decorum of elected leaders’ reputations. She stated, “I think the people of New South Wales are getting a bit of buyers’ remorse for the fact that he’s actually in the New South Wales Parliament.” This sentiment speaks to a collective weariness with constituents concerned about the lack of integrity and professionalism one should expect from their representatives.
Latham’s history of making disparaging comments about female colleagues and allegedly taking photos of them speaking in parliament has further fueled demands for action.
